HOUSE OF LORDS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Die Martis 4° Martii 2003

The House met at half-past two oclock.

1. Lord Bishop of SheffieldJohn Lord Bishop of Sheffield was introduced between the Lord Bishop of Oxford and the Lord Bishop of Rochester; and took and subscribed the oath pursuant to statute.

2. Leave of AbsenceLeave of absence was granted to the Lord Chancellor for Friday 14th March.

Judicial Business

3. Kerr (Respondent) (AP) v. Department for Social Development (Appellants) (Northern Ireland)The appeal of the Department for Social Development was presented and it was ordered that in accordance with Standing Order VI the statement and appendix thereto be lodged on or before 15th April next (lodged 3rd March).

4. Attorney Generals Reference No. 2 of 2001 (On Appeal from the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division))The appeal was set down for hearing and referred to an Appellate Committee.

Papers

5. Instrument withdrawnThe following instrument, laid before the House on 24th February, was withdrawn:

6. Affirmative InstrumentsThe following instruments were laid before the House for approval by resolution and ordered to lie on the Table:

1. Draft Local Authorities (Charges for Specified Welfare Services) (England) Regulations 2003, laid under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989;

2. Draft Local Elections (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Order 2003, laid under the Northern Ireland Act 1998, together with an Explanatory Memorandum;

3. Draft Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) (Variation of Specified Documents) Regulations 2003, laid under the Representation of the People Act 1983, together with an Explanatory Memorandum.

7. Negative InstrumentsThe following instruments were laid before the House and ordered to lie on the Table:

1. Child Minding and Day Care (Suspension of Registration) (England) Regulations 2003, laid under the Children Act 1989; (332)

10. Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) (Codes B to E) Order 2003It was moved by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton that the proceedings of Monday 24th February be vacated; the motion was agreed to.

11. Licensing Bill [HL]The bill was further considered on report; amendments were moved and (by leave of the House) withdrawn; amendments were agreed to; an amendment was agreed to (see division list 1); an amendment was disagreed to (see division list 2); it was ordered that the bill be printed as amended. (HL Bill 40)

12. Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2003It was moved by the Baroness Hollis of Heigham that the draft Order laid before the House on 5th February be approved; after debate, the motion was agreed to.

13. Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2003It was moved by the Baroness Hollis of Heigham that the draft Order laid before the House on 5th February be approved; the motion was agreed to.